Almost 500 households of Brgy. Pulo in San Antonio, Quezon now have a regular potable water supply after the completion of their water system sub-project implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman led the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the said sub-project to the residents of Brgy. Pulo last March 23.

The water system, worth PhP1.49 Million, consists of a water tank, distribution lines and a central tap stand, which is an upgrade of the water well project implemented by the residents last 2013 through the same program.

Gloria Rearte, one of the residents in Brgy. Pulo and a community volunteer, said that having a regular potable water supply helped lessen cases of diarrhea among children in their community.

The residents formed the Brgy. Pulo Water System Association (BAPWASA), which manages the operations and maintenance of the sub-project.

As the president of the BAPWASA, Rearte received the turning over of the operations and maintenance of the project from Sec. Soliman during the ceremony.

“Lubos naming tinatanggap ang pamamahala ng proyektong ito at kami ay nangangako na aming pangangalagaan ang proyekto para sa patuloy na serbisyo at kapakinabangan nito sa pamayanan,” Rearte said.

According to Sec. Soliman, the goal of the Department is to empower the people to work for and be part of the change. She commended the residents of Brgy. Pulo for making DSWD’s goal possible through their hard work and commitment to improve their community.

“Tunay ngang nasa kamay ng mga mamamayan ang kaunlaran ng isang pamayanan. Kami ay patuloy ninyong kaakibat sa pagkamit ng pagbabago na ninanais nating lahat,” said Sec. Soliman.

The water system in Brgy. Pulo is one of the 35 Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects completed in the town of San Antonio since 2013. Other projects implemented in the town include farm-to-market roads, health stations and day care centers among others.

A total of PhP38.70 Million grant was utilized for the implementation of these sub-projects.

The Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the core poverty reduction programs of the DSWD that aims to empower ordinary citizens to engage in the local development process of their communities. It follows the community-driven development strategy which allows the residents to plan, prioritize, and implement infrastructure projects geared to address problems in their communities. #